2003 Pontiac Grand Am Reviews - Page 9 of 13

2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4L Ram Air from North America

Summary:

Faults:

I had to replace the front brakes at 45000 km, but warranty covered it.

General Comments:

This is an excellent mid sized commuter car. I has good performance and economy, while still being stylish and fun.

However, as a large man (six foot three, 230 lbs.) I find the drivers area a tad too small. My right knee rests on the gear shift, and my left against the door grip. In order to have the required leg room, I need the seat far back to the point where the rear passenger area is restricted. Plus, I cannot comfortably reach the steering wheel, since I need to have the seat tilted way back to allow for head room.

5th May 2006, 22:08

I have a 2003 gt1 and don't have those problems. i am also 6foot3 235pounds and have plenty of room. and as for the back seat goes, the way I see it is I don't have to sit there so taking all the room in the front is OK. i used to own a eagle talon and with the front seat all the way up, there is still no room so my friends like my gt1.

6th May 2006, 09:47

18th Aug 2006, 14:29

I think part of the problem with feeling "cramped" in cars is purely psychological. I'm a really big guy and I fit in my Grand Am just fine. I've never felt even remotely cramped. My head did rub the top when I first got it, but I just used the power seat adjustment to lower the driver's seat a little.

2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 from North America

Summary:

Good solid car for the money, easy maintenance

Faults:

Driver side window cable connector came off and the turn signal relay failed.

General Comments:

This is the second Grand Am of this style I have owned. The first was one of the first 6 delivered to the St. Louis region in 1999. That one was a 4-dr SE, this one is a 4-dr GT. The only difference was an upgraded interior and a sun roof. The 1999 we had until 2003 (105,000 miles at trade in) all of the problems I had were after 95,000 miles. The drivers & rear passenger window cable systems failed, the plastic gear on the drivers seat broke (my wife is 300+ lbs and the main driver), and the alternator went out.

This one is at almost 99,000 miles, with the exception of the drivers window there are no factory related problems. Normal things have worn, i.e. struts, brakes, tires... I did a tune up at 95,000 mls, including new platnium plugs and 7mm wires.

For the money $18K for the SE and $21K for the GT these have been excellent autos and I would buy another one if they still made them. Even though the G6 is generally the same car we don't care for the looks and styling. The replacement for this will probably be a Chrysler 300 or Charger (first Chrysler product I will have owned)

31st Jul 2006, 11:15

Don't go to Chrysler... believe me you will have nothing but headaches and before you know it, you will be back purchasing another GM product.

Yes, I understand you like the looks of the Chrysler vehicle, but the looks will have nothing to do with the problems you have with it. I will never buy another Chrysler or Dodge again.

Just some warnings. If something goes wrong with your vehicle, Chyrsler will not help you out. Been there, done that, and had a warranty. Even contacted head office and they told me there was nothing they could do, because they were all individually owned. So that should tell you where the company stands.

18th Aug 2006, 14:38

Wow!! you sound like me!! I am glad I'm not the only Grand Am owner (I have a flawless 2001 SE-1) that hates the new G-6. I've driven 2 (a base and a GT) and was very unimpressed. My twin-cam 4 is actually faster than the G-6 with the V-6 engine, the G-6 rides rougher, and the styling is just plain boring. To add insult to injury, Pontiac only offers the G-6 in very ugly "old lady" colors.

As for Chrysler, They are really very good cars. We've owned 3, and our last Dodge went 240,000 miles with absolutely ZERO problems other than two brake jobs and two timing belts. Our only problem with Chrysler cars was that the dealership flatly refused to honor the warranty at all. They are very good cars, but be aware that you will basically be on your own if you do have a problem.